Rutherford is running for [[Governor of Illinois]] in 2014. He is seeking the [[Republican]] Party nomination in the primary election on March 18, 2014. The general election will take place on November 4, 2014.<ref name=declared14/><ref>[http://www.danrutherford.org/calendar/event/63/EventDetails.aspx ''Dan Rutherford Illinois State Treasurer,'' "Dan Rutherford preparing for 2014 bid for Governor," accessed May 21, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://jg-tc.com/news/dan-rutherford-plans-future-run-for-governor/article_f687fffc-5adc-11e2-9161-0019bb2963f4.html ''Journal Gazette & Times-Courier,'' "Rutherford plans future run for governor," January 9, 2013]</ref>

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Rutherford {{2014isrunning}} for [[Governor of Illinois]] in 2014. He is seeking the [[Republican]] Party nomination in the primary election on March 18, 2014. {{Nov2014genelection}}<ref name=declared14/><ref>[http://www.danrutherford.org/calendar/event/63/EventDetails.aspx ''Dan Rutherford Illinois State Treasurer,'' "Dan Rutherford preparing for 2014 bid for Governor," accessed May 21, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://jg-tc.com/news/dan-rutherford-plans-future-run-for-governor/article_f687fffc-5adc-11e2-9161-0019bb2963f4.html ''Journal Gazette & Times-Courier,'' "Rutherford plans future run for governor," January 9, 2013]</ref>

Education

BS, Business Administration, Illinois State University, 1978

Political career

State treasurer (2011-Present)

Borrowing

When they were first elected, Rutherford and comptroller Judy Baar Topinka said they planned to flex their muscle as the state’s fiscal officers, with an aim at Gov. Pat Quinn’s borrowing. Quinn called borrowing one of his “budget pillars,” yet the state treasurer and comptroller must sign-off on short term borrowing, according to Illinois state law.

“I have a number of questions about any type of short term borrowing,” Topinka said. “What will the money be used for, how long will it be out, and is there money for the state to pay it back?”

Topinka said she would not issue blank checks to the governor. Rutherford said he thought he had a mandate to be tough and that voters picked Republicans to hold the fiscal offices of the state for a reason.

“[One] thing that I think is going to be impactful is to have people who are willing to articulate what may be a differing opinion on the finances of the state.”

Rutherford said that not all borrowing is bad, but that he worried about Illinois’ mounting debt and the state’s ability to repay what it borrows. [1]

Debt

While Rutherford cannot stop lawmakers from borrowing billions to pay the state’s backlog of unpaid bills, he said he planned to deter this practice by making it more expensive.

On May 23, 2011, Rutherford said he could not support adding to Illinois' burgeoning debt.

He released his own report that states Illinois total debt would cost every household in the state $42,000. Rutherford arrived at the number by adding Illinois’ $140 billion in unfunded pension and health-care liabilities, the state’s $45 billion bond debt, and the nearly $8 billion in unpaid bills.

The treasurer said lawmakers must cut spending and live within their means in order for Illinois to pay off the debt.

“You can’t borrow anymore money,” said Rutherford. “And if I need to send letters to the rating companies to tell them the treasurer of Illinois is opposed to any more borrowing, I’ll go ahead and do that.”

Rutherford said alerting national rating agencies and bond houses could make it more expensive for Illinois to borrow. He said hoped that step would give lawmakers pause before asking for a billion dollars.[4]

Criticism for raises

Rutherford, along with Illinois ComptrollerJudy Baar Topinka, came under criticism in September 2011 for giving pay raises during a fiscal crisis. Topinka gave 56 employees raises of at least 3 percent and several employees raises up to 15 percent. Rutherford gave out 19 raises averaging 16 percent increases. The issue came to light by an analysis of payroll records by the Better Government Association, a Chicago nonprofit group.[5]

Illinois State Senate (2003-2010)

Civil Unions

Rep. Rutherford was the only GOP lawmaker to vote yes on the civil unions legislation before it headed to Gov. Quinn’s desk.[6]

2008

On November 4, 2008, Republican Dan Rutherford won re-election to the Illinois State Senate District 53 receiving 90,199 votes.[9]

Illinois State Senate, District 53 General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Dan Rutherford

100%

90,199

Total Votes

90,199

Campaign donors

Ballotpedia collects information on campaign donors for each year in which a candidate or incumbent is running for election. The following table offers a breakdown of Dan Rutherford's donors each year.[10] Click [show] for more information.